Glencore: Committed to Community Investment Near the Rhovan Operation
At Glencore, we take our responsibility to support and develop the host communities near our operations very seriously. Our efforts include a range of projects designed to enhance the lives and livelihoods of local community members, equipping them with essential skills, knowledge, and experience to start their own businesses, secure employment with other companies, or work with Glencore.
To ensure active community participation, Glencore backs the process of appointing trustees who will establish a board that includes representatives from local communities. This board will be ratified by an Independent Panel, ensuring transparency and inclusivity.
Contrary to allegations of a lack of community investment, Glencore proudly partners with communities near the Rhovan Mine. Nearly 70% of our employees come from these local communities. For those lacking required competencies, we offer training, development, and succession planning programs.
Our initiatives start at the school level, where we support students with additional Maths and Science lessons. Upon completing grade 12, students receive opportunities for tertiary education through bursaries and scholarships. We also provide extensive training and development programs to make community members work-ready. These programs cover engineering studies, N2 courses, and various learnerships in fitting, instrumentation, boiler making, diesel mechanics, auto-electrician, portal skills, and trackless mobile machinery.
Upcoming Projects and Social Labour Plan (SLP)
We are awaiting approval of our fourth Social Labour Plan (SLP) generation (2023 – 2027) by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE). The SLP includes impactful projects such as:
- Procuring ambulances for the local clinic
- Building a multipurpose center
- Constructing reservoirs for bulk water storage
- Resurfacing roads
- Building and upgrading sports fields
- Constructing a high school and administration block
In developing the SLP, Rhovan worked closely with the Organised Labour Traditional Council, Rustenburg Local Municipality, and government departments to identify the socio-economic needs.
Key Community Projects that Rhovan supports:
Community Health: We have built a R30 million state-of-the-art community clinic in Bethanie, serving 27,000 community members. We continue to maintain the clinic's infrastructure, garden, electricity, sewer drainage, and overall improvement.
Education and School Infrastructure: Provision of maths and science programme (grade 8 – 12), scholarships, bursaries, building ablution facilities at local schools, building classrooms, school maintenance, chairs and tables sponsor to all the nine local school.
Sports and Recreation: We have built three sports field facilities in Bethanie, Makolokwe, and Berseba. The Berseba field features an athletic track, cricket and netball facilities, and an outdoor gym. We maintain these facilities and have budgeted for further upgrades in our fourth SLP.
Enterprise and Supplier Development (ESD) Hub: Located in Bethanie, this hub helps develop small businesses by offering business skills training, supported by the Gordon Institute for Business Science (GIBS) in Johannesburg.
Water Provision: In collaboration with Magalies Water and Rustenburg Local Municipality, we are constructing a 23km water pipeline from Kortbegrip reservoir to the host communities. The project is progressing well, with 5km already installed, and is expected to be completed within 12 months. Meanwhile, we have drilled boreholes and provided water tanks and generators to ensure immediate water access.
Renewable Energy: We have started constructing a 25MW solar photovoltaic (PV) plant. We have consulted with the Bakwena-Ba-Magopa Community to engage local SMEs in the construction and installation of the solar plant.
Glencore Ferroalloys remains committed to socioeconomic upliftment where is matters and our goal is to progress together with our communities.